Row crop cultivator

ABSTRACT

A row crop cultivator mounted on a three-point hitch of an agricultural tractor. The cultivator has a folding frame with a center beam assembly and side beams pivotally mounted on arms pivotally attached to the center beam. The arms selectively permit opposite ends of the side beams to be coupled to the center beam assembly so that the cultivator can be assembled in a wide, transverse working position and, alternatively, in a folded, narrow, transport position. The cultivator has transverse tool bars carrying a plurality of earth working dual discs. Mounted on the tool bars are pairs of row guide units having wheels that function to align the cultivator with furrows midway between the rows of crops. Each row guide unit has a furrowing tool associated with a shield to form a furrow midway between the rows of crops.

United States Patent Tonsfeldt 51 Aug. 1,1972

[541 ROW CROP CULTIVATOR [72] Inventor: Wayne S. Tonst'eldt, Sabin, Minn.

[73] Assignee: Alloway Manufacturing, Inc., Fargo,

N. Dak.

[22] Filed: Jan. 22, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 5,056

1/1970 Eiten ..172/739 3,529,674 9/1970 Todd et a1 ..l72/676 3,539,019 11/1970 Mattson et a1. ..172/512 470,390 4/1892 Bostick ..306/1.5

3,550,969 12/1970 Robinson ..306/1.5

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 445,174 6/1962 Germany ..172/509 289,322 3/1965 Netherlands ..172/744 Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-C. W. Hanor Attorney-Burd, Braddock & Bartz [57] ABSTRACT A row crop cultivator mounted on a three-point hitch of an agricultural tractor. The cultivator has a folding frame with a center beam assembly and side beams pivotally mounted on arms pivotally attached to the center beam. The arms selectively permit opposite ends of the side beams to be coupled to the center beam assembly so that the cultivator can be assembled in a wide, transverse working position and, alternatively, in a folded, narrow, transport position. The cultivator has transverse tool bars carrying a plurality of earth working dual discs. Mounted on the tool bars are pairs of row guide units having wheels that function to align the cultivator with furrows midway between the rows of crops. Each row guide-unit has a furrowing tool associated with a shield to form a furrow midway between the rows of crops.

23 Clairm, 9 Drawing Figures PAIENTEM: 11912 3.680.648

sum 2 OF {1 INVENIOR. WAYNE S,TONSFE LDT Jswpmcwwg I AT TORNEYS PATENTEDms I I872 3.680.648

sum 3 OF 4 lzo 7 l.\'VEB JTOR.

v WAYNE S. TONSFELDT A I'TORNEYS PAIENTEmus I I972 3.680.648

SHEET Q 0F 4 [\VHVFUR. WAYNE S.TON5FELDT ATTORNEYS 1 ROW CROP cuL'nvAmR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The three-point hitch on an agricultural tractor is used to connect a rear mounted row crop cultivator to the tractor. The-conventional rear mounted cultivator has a long, transverse tool bar. Gangs of spaced earth working tools are connected to the tool bar with parallel linkages. Gauge wheels are used with the gangs-to control the working depth of the earth working shovels and sweeps. An example of this type of rear mounted row crop cultivator is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,208,535. These cultivators have a limited width, as the transverse tool bar cannot be folded or otherwise decreased in length to reduce the overall width of the cultivator. Thesewide cultivators are difficult and'dangerous to transport to the various fields to be cultivated. The prior art rear mounted row crop cultivators require considerable attention and work on the part of the operatorto maintain the earth working tools in proper relation to the rows of crops to avoid any damage to the crops. Electrically operated photoelectric cells have been used to sense the position-of the crops to control the steering of the tractor. This type of structure is also shown'in'U.S. Pat. No. 3,208,535. The

cultivator itself does not have any structure which automatically maintains the alignment of the earth working tools relative to the rows of crops.

' SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a row crop cultivator mounted on a tractor for cultivating a plurality of rows of crops, as beets, beans, corn and the. like. The cultivator has amain frame assembly mountable on the tractor. Located rearwardly-of themain frame is a transverse tool bar means connected to the main frame with linkage means which permit the tool bar means to have limited independent up and down movement. A plurality of spaced earth working tools are mounted onthe tool bar means for working the soil adjacent the rows of the crops. Row guide assembly means are also mounted on the tool bar means for controlling thelateral position of the toolbar means to maintain the earth working tools in proper relationship relative to the rows of 45 c crops. The row guide means have forward wheels adapted to follow furrows between the rows of crops and a rear furrowing tool means to make a furrow longitudinally aligned with the wheels. These furrows are used in the subsequent cultivation :toguide thecultivator. These furrows are also used to position and guide the tractor between the rows of crops.

Another feature of the invention is a main frame assembly which has side sections located adjacent opposite ends of a center section mountable on a tractor. The side sections are pivotally mounted on arm means which permit the opposite ends of the side sections to be selectively attached to the side sections in a first outwardly directed wide working position and a second rearwardly directed, folded, narrow, transport position. A holding means is used to releasably connect the opposite ends of the side sections to the centersection.

A further feature .of the invention is the utilization of a row guide unit which has a longitudinal member mounted on the tool bar means. A guide wheel is mounted on the forward portion of the member opposite the furrowing tool means. The furrowing tool means has an upright standard adjustably mounted on the longitudinal member. An adjustable connection,

having a block with an upright convex face and flat edge opposite the face, isused to adjustboth the vertical .position of the standard, as well as the angular position of the standard and thereby change the earth working characteristics of the tool on the standard and the action of the guide wheel.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a plan view of an agricultural tractor equipped with the row crop cultivator of the invention;

FIG. 2- is an-enlargedzelevational view taken along line 2-2ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 with "parts deleted to show the main frame assembly;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of FIG. 3;-

2 FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1:

FIG. 6is-a top plan view of the guide and furrowing assembly mounted on the toolbar;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the dual disc earth working tool; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 an makes furrows 27 down the middle of L the cultivated spaces between the rows. These furrows function to guide the tractor, as well as the cultivator, in the subsequent cultivation. FIG. 21is an elevational view illustrating the furrow 27 midway between the. rows of rops 26. v

The cultivator 24 has a main frame assembly,.indicated generally at 28, mounted directly on the threepoint hitch 23. As shown in FIGS. 1,3, and 4, main frameassembly 28has a transverse top beam 29 positioned'aboveand slightly forward of a transverse botcenter portion of the top beam 29 are apair of upright plates 37 for accommodating the control link of the three-point hitch 23. The draft links of the three-point hitch are attached to the lower beam 31 so that the main frame assembly is raised and lowered along with the movement of the three-point hitch.

Projected outwardly from opposite ends .of the end plates 32 and 33 are side beamsor sections 38 and 39, respectively. The side beams are mounted on their respective end plates in an identical manner. This mounting permits the side beams 38 and 39 to fold back to a transport position so that the width of the cultivator is reduced for movement to other locations. The

arms41and42toamidsectionofsidebeam38.'lhe

inner end of arm 41 is located between a pair of outwardly directed ears 44. Anupright pivot member 46 extendsthroughtheears44andthearm4ltopivotally mount the upper arm on the end plate 32. Similar out- .wardly directed ears 47 are securedto the lower end of the end "plate 32 for accommodating the inner end of the lower arm 42.1An upright pivot member 48 con-' nectsithe'arm 42 to the'ears 47. The pivot members 46 and 48 are generally positioned along the same upright axis. Secured to the. midsection of the end-plate 32, rearwardly of the ears 44 and47, are a pair of vertically spaced horizontal plates 49 and 51. The plates 49and 51 project outwardly from the outside of end plate 32 to form a space 52 for accommodating the inner end 53 of the side beam 38. An end 53 is held in assembled relation with the plates 49 and 51' with a ren'lovable upright pin which extends through suitable vertically aligned holes in theplates 49 and 51 and end 53. The pin'54, along with the arms 41 and 42, hold the side beam 38 in its extended outward working position in general alignment withthe bottom transverse beam 31. The arms 41 and 42 also support the side beam 38 in an upright direction, whereby the beam 38 is partially balanced on the arms 41 and 42 to reduce the cantilever bending action on the plates 49 and 51 and pin 54. v v

The side beam 38 can be foldedback to the transport position by initially removing the pin 54. The inner end 53 isswung'outwardly, as indicated by arrow 56, about the pivot member 43. The side beam 38, along with the arms 41 and 42,- is then swung inwardly in the direction of arrow 57 about the pivot members46 and 48 until it is substantially normal to the center section of the frame assembly. The outer end of the beam 28 fits into 4 and 69 are pivotally connected to the upright member 66andpostmember67.As'pring7l,eonnectedtothe bottomforwardportionofthelink69andtheupper outerportion of the post member 67, biases the parallel linkage in a downward Secured to the upright post 'member 67 is a plate carrying an adjustable stop 72 operative to limit the relative pivotal movement between the lower link 69 and the upright support member67sothat,uponraisingofthemainframeassembly 28 with the three-point hitch, all the transverse tool bars 58, 59, and 61 will be moved in an upward direction.

As shown in FIG. 7, a rolleror wheel 73 is rotatably I mounted on a longitudinal axis carried by a bracket 74 secured to the outer end of the tool bar 58. Mounted on the inner end of 59 is an upright'member 76 having a flat face inengagement with the roller 73. The roller 73 and member 76 coact to permit the tool bars 20158 and 59 to move up and down independent of each Mounted on the-tool bars 5a. 519, and 61,.in alignment with the rows of crops 26, are earth. working I tools, indicated generally at'77. These tools are dual 7 working units which function to cut and roll the soil away from opposite sides of the crops.The soil is turned toward the center of the space between the rows. The details of the earth'working tool 77 are shown in nos. 6 to 9. The earth'working tool 17 hasa zoidal-shaped plate 83 secured to the bottom of the standard. The standard 82 and plate 83 form a generally inverted T-shaped member. Secured to the outer sides'of the plate 83 are horizontal arms 84 and direction. The forward and rear portions of the anns 84.

'86 extend beyond the forwarda'n'd rear edges of plate 83. As shown in FIG. 9, the loweredges 87 I or the arms 84 and 86, respectively, are beveled ,or downwardly and outwardly. Mounted on the arms 84' and 86 are clamps, indicated generally at 89 the space 52between the plates 49 and 51. The pin 54 and 91, for adjustably positioning the discs 79 and 81 v is'placedback inthe holes in the outer portions of the plates'49 and 51 to hold the beam 38in its rearwardly extended position. The opposite side beam 39 can folded in a similar manner to the-rearward transport position and thereby reduce the overall width of the cultivator.

Returning to FIG. 1 the cultivator 24 has a center transverse tool bar 58 and side tool bars 59 and 61 transversely aligned with tool bar 58. A first pair of parallel linkages 62 pivotallymount the tool bar 58 on the center beam 31 to provide the tool bar 58 with in- Y dependent'up and down movement. A second pair of 7 parallel linkages 63 pivotally mount the side tool bar 59 tothesidebeam38.lnasimilarmanner,athirdpairof 60 mounted to the main frame assembly. The upright members 66, shown in FIG. 5,aremountedtothe side beam 38. A pair of upright "post members'67-are secured to the tool bar 39.'-A p air of parallel links 68 1 along the length'of the arms 84 and 86. Theclamps are identical in structure. Each clamp has an upper downwardly open hook portion 92 positioned about the upper edge of the arm. Secured to the hook portion 92 is a downwardly extending leg having an upwardly directed toe forming a wedge-shaped pocket 94 for accommodating the beveled lower edge of the arm. The clamp is secured to'the arm with a bolt 96 threaded through the hook portion and engageable with the top of the arm. When the bolt 96 is tightened, the lower beveled edge of the'ann is wedged into the pocket 94 of the clamp. The disc is secured to the lower portion of the clamp with an outwardly directed bearing and axle assembly 97. The lower portion of the leg 93 may be formed with a twist about a vertical axis to determine the angular workingpitch of the Clamps with different types of pitch may be used to provide for a change in the working angle or pitch of the discs 79 and The tool holder is adjustably connected to the tool .bar 58 with a two-piece clamping attachment 99 comprising a pair of C-shaped members secured together with a pair of bolts. One of the members has an upright rectangular opening 101 for accommodating the upright standard 82. A bolt 102 is used to clamp the standard to the attachment 99. The tool holder can be used to carry a set of weeder knives, in addition to the discs. Alternatively, the discs can be removed so that the tool holder can be used with weeder knives. A clamp, similar to the clamps 89 and 91, can be used to adjustably mount weeder knives on the arms 84 and 86.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown the guide and furrowing assembly, indicated generally at 103, for directing both the tractor and the cultivator in an aligned position down between the rows of crops 26. The guide and furrow assembly 103 has a longitudinal member or rail 104 adjustably mounted on an attachment 106 clamped to the tool bar 58. The attachment 106 is a two-piece member adjustably mounted on the tool bar 58 with a pair of nut and bolt assemblies. The bottom portion of the attachment 106 has a longitudinal opening 107, shown in FIG. 7, for accommodating the rail 104. A bolt 108, threaded into the attachment 106, engages the rail 104 to hold the rail 104 in assembled relation with the attachment.

Returning to FIGS. 5 and 6, a pair of longitudinal plates 109 and 111 are secured to opposite sides of the rear portion of the raiLThe plates 109 and 111 project in a rearward direction and are located on opposite sides of an upright standard or bar 112. The standard 1 12 is a tool holder for making the guiding furrow 26 in the soil. The standard 1 12 is adjustably mounted on the plates 109 and 111 for adjustable movement in an upright direction, as well as forward and rearward directions, to change the angle of the standard. Located in engagement with the forward edge of the standard is an uprightblock 113 having a convex arcuate forward surface 114. Thesurface 114 extends in an upright direction and is engaged by apair of vertically spaced cylindrical members 116 and 117 mounted on the plates 109 and l l 1 forwardly of the rear ends of the lates.

p A pair of bolts 118 and 119 are threaded into an upright back portion 120 connecting the rear ends of the plates 109 and 111. These bolts engage the standard 112 and lock the standard with respect to the plates 109 and 111. Relative adjustment of the bolts 118 and 119 changes the angular position of the standard 112. The standard 112 moves along an .arc established by the arcuate surface 114 of the block 1 13. In this manner, the standard 112 can be tilted in a rearward position, be positioned in a straight upright position, as shown in FIG. 5, or inclined in a forward position. This will change the digging action of the shovel 121 secured to the lower end of the standard 1 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, shovel 121 has an upright semicylindrical body. The midsection of the inside of the body is secured to the lower end of standard 112. The bottom end of the body is rounded to define a curved cutting edge. A layer 121A of hard metal is secured to the outside forward portion of the body to provide a wear resistant sharp cutting edge. In use, the soft metal of the body erodes away from the back of the hard metal. This leaves a sharp cutting edge on the shovel.

Mounted on the standard 112 over the shovel 121 is a generally inverted U-shaped shield, indicated generally at 122. Shield 122 has a'pair of top members 123 and 124 secured with fasteners 126, as bolts, to the standard 112. Pivotally mounted on the top members 123 and 124 are a pair of side members 127 and 128. The side members 127 and 128 have rearwardly converging upright walls which function as plows to form a pair of parallelridges in the soil on opposite sides of the furrow 27. The side members 127 and 128 are pivotally mounted on the top members 123 and 124, respectively, with a pair of pivot members 129 and 131, as nut and bolt assemblies. The pivot members 129 and 131 connect the rear portions of the side members 127 and 128 to the top members 123 and 124. The forward portions of the top members 123 and 124 have arcuate slots 132 and 133 for receiving fasteners 134 and 136 to attach the front portions of the side members 127 and 128 to the top members. The arcuate slots permit the side members .127 and 128 -to pivot toward and away from each otherand thereby change the width of the forward end of theshield 122, as wellas the converging angle of the shield 122. As shown in FIG. 1, a shield, as well as a furrowing tool, is connected to the tool bars for use between each of the rows of the field.

Mounted on the front portion of the rail 104, forward of the attachment 106, is the guide unit, indicated generally at 137. A two-piece attachment 138 has a first piece adjustably positioned on the rail 104. This first piece has a bolt 139 to secure the attachment to the rail. The attachment holds a short transverse bar 141. Forwardly directed flat plates 142 and 143 are secured by welds to opposite ends of the bar. Each plate has an upwardly directed arcuate slot 144. Positioned adjacent the outside of the plates 142 and 143 are forwardly directed-arms 146 and 147. Midportions of the arms 146 and 147 are attached with nutand bolt assemblies 148 to the plates 142 and 143. The bolts project through the arcuate slots 144 so that the arms can be adjusted relative to the plates. The rear ends of the arms 146-and 147 are attached with fasteners 149 to the opposite ends of the bar 141. Rotatably mounted on the forward ends of the arms 146 and 147 is a single wheel 151 adapted to follow a furrow between two rows of crops. The cultivator is provided with six guide units so that the cultivator follows six furrows made in the previous cultivation. The guide units cooperate together in pairs to guide each section of the cultivator so that the dual discs are automatically aligned with the crops, as shown in FIG. 1. The tractors front wheels 22 also follow the furrows 27 so that the tractor is positioned in the field to initially align the dual discs with the rows of crops. This alignment is maintained by the furrows and the action of the guide units in the furrows. The wheels 151 of all the guide units carry a substantial part of the weight of the tool bars 58, 59, and 61 and the structure mounted on the tool bars when the cultivator is in the ground working position. The wheels 151, in addition to serving as guide means for the cultivator, serve as a depth control for the cultivator. The working depth of the cultivator can be adjusted by moving the arms 146 and 147 relative to the plates 142 Y and 143. The arcuate slots 144 permit vertical adjustment of the arms.

In use, the tractor 20 moves the cultivator 24 down thefidd'lheduald'ucsfunctiontocutandturnribbon'sofsoil adjacentoppositesidesofeachrow.'lhe soilistumedtowardthecenterofthespacesbetween 122 further collect the soil and prevent the soil being worked by the shovels 121 from covering the crops.- Each shield 122 cooperates with the shovel 121 to-form afurrow 27 whichis used in the next cultivation to guide tracks for the tractors wheels, as well as for the wheels 151' ofthe cultivator The israised to the up position by actuating the three-point hitch lift system.

vThemainfrarneassembly28israisedtoelevatethe I g of the cultivator out of engagement with the The cultivator frame assembly 28 is folded by moving'thesidebeams38and3totheirrearwardlongitupinsfiandswingingtheinnerendsofthesidebeams toanoutward outer ends ofthe'side beamsaremovedbetvveentheholdingP =S49and v j I. In earth working implement having a frame means connect'able to'a tractor, tool bar means; linkage means connecting the toolbar means with the frame m'eans,'a' plurality of spaced earth working tools mounted on the tool bar means for working the soil adjacent rows ,of crops, the improvement ofzmeans mounted on the tool bar means for making a longitudinal furrow in the soil between adjacent rows of crops, said means mounted on the tool bar means comprising furrowing tool means, and shield means having a pairof rearwardly converging generally upright members located between adjacent rows of crops, one of said members located adjacent one side of said furrowing tool means and the other of said members located adjacent the other side of said fur-rowing tool means, said furrowing tool means and upright members of the shield means forming on movement of the implement a longitudinal furrow in the soil between adjacent rows of crops.

2. The implement ofclaim 1 wherein: saidmeans mounted on the tool bar means includes a longitudinal --membermountedonthetoolbarmeans,saidfunowing tool meanshaving a generally upright standard meansforworkingthesoiladjacentrowsofcrops,and

mounted on the rear portion of the longitudinal member. v

3. The implement of claim 2 wherein: said shield means is mountedon the standard to confine the workedsoil to the space between the adjacent rows of crops. Y

. 4. Theimplement can. 1 wherein: said shield means includes means to adjustably support the upright w members whereby the converging relationship between theuprightmemberscanbe 1 5. The implementof claim 1 wherein: said shield meanshastopmembersandmeanstoadjustablymount upright members on the-topmemberswherebythe converging relationship between the upright members 6. The implement ofclaim 4 wherein: the

toolmeansincludesagenerally upright standard,said I o 7.lnanearthworkingimplementhavingaframe" meansconnectabletoatractor,toolbarmeans,linkage meansconnectingthetoolbarmeanswiththeframe' ls mearmapluralityofspacedearthworkingtoolmeans mountedtvnthetoolbarmeansforworkingthe soil adjacentrows of crops, the improvement of: rowguide assemblymeansmountedonthetoolbarmeansforcontrollingthetransversepositionofthetoolbarmeansto maintain the positions oftheearth working tools adjacent the rows of crops; saidjrow guide assemblymeans comprising forward wheel means adapted to follow a longitudinal furrow located between adjacent rows of crops, a fun-owing tool means longitudinally behind the wheel means,and shield means hav- 'ing a pair of rearwardly converging members located between adjacent rows of crops; one of said members oftheshieldmeanslocatedadjacentonesideofsaid furrowingtoolmeansandtheotherofsaidmembers 30 located adjacent the other side of said furrowing tool means: said furrowing tool means and converging members of the shieldrneansforming on movement of the implement a furrow in soil longitudinally aligned with the wheel means. 5 s. m implement of claim 1 wherein: said row guide assembly includes a longitudinal member mounted on the tool barvmeans, means mounting the wheel means on the forward portionof the member, said furrowing 0 tool means having a generally upright standard mounted on the rearportion of the longitudinal member.

.9. The implement of claim 7 wherein: said shield.

means include means to adjustably support the upright members whereby the converging relationshipbetween the upright members can be c ge d. 10. The implement of claim 7 wherein: said shield means has top members and means to adjustably mount the upright members on the top members whereby the converging relationship between the upright members canbec I 11. The implement of claim 10 wherein: the furrowing tool means includes a' generally upright standard, saidtopmembersbeingmountedonsaidstandard.

'12. An earth working implementmountable on a tractorcomprisingzmainframemeansconnectable toa tractor, toolbarmeansJinkagemeansconnecting-the toolbarmeanswiththemainfrarnemeanaaplurality ofspacedearthworkingtoolsmotmtedonthetoolbar row guide assembly means mounted on the tool bar meansforcontrollingthetransversepositionofthetool barmeanstolocatetheearthworkingtoolsadjacent the roan ofcropusaidrow guide 'embly means havinga forward wheel means adapted to follow a longituthe wheel means, and shield means having a pair of rearwardly converging generally upright members located between adjacent rows of crops, one of said members located adjacent one side of said furrowing tool means and the other of said members located adjacent the other side of said furrowing tool means, said furrowing tool means and upright members of the shield means forming on movement of the implement a furrow in the soil longitudinally aligned with the wheel means. 7

13. The implement of claim 1 wherein: said row guide assembly means includes a longitudinal member mounted on the tool bar means, means mounting the wheel means on the forward portion of the member, said furrowing tool means having an upright standard mounted on the rear portion of the member, and a shovel mounted on the lower portion of the standard.

14. The implement of claim 13 wherein: said shield means is mounted on the standard to confine the worked soil to the space between adjacent rows of crops.

15. The implement of claim 13 including: adjustable means connecting the. standard to the longitudinal member, said adjustable means comprising a block means having an upright convex face and an upright flat edge opposite the face, means on the longitudinal member engageable with the convex face, said standard engageable with the flat edge of the block means, sand holding means engageable with the standard to hold the standard in engagement with the block means and to hold the block means in engagement with the means on the longitudinal member.

16. The implement of claim 15 wherein: the means on the longitudinal member comprise vertically spaced cylindrical members and the holding means comprise vertically spaced bolts engaging vertically spaced portions of the standard.

17. The implement of claim 1 wherein: the main frame means has a section mountable on the tractor, a beam adjacent an end of the section, arm means pivotally mounting the beam to the section and holding means releasably connecting an end of the beam to the center section, second tool bar means, linkage means connecting the second tool bar means to said beam, a plurality of spaced earth working tools mounted on the second tool bar means for working the soil adjacent rows of crops, and row guide assembly means mounted on the second tool bar means for controlling the transverse position of the second tool bar means to locate the earth working tools adjacent the rows of crops, said row guide assembly means having a forward wheel means adapted to follow a longitudinal furrow located between adjacent rows of crops, a rear furrowing tool means longitudinally aligned with the wheel means, and shield means having a pair of rearwardly converging generally upright members located between adjacent rows of crops, one of said members located adjacent one side of said furrowing tool means and the other of said members located adjacent the other side of said furrowing tool means, said furrowing tool means and upright members of the shield means forming on movement of the implement a furrow in the soil longitudinally aligned with the wheel means.

18. The implement of claim 17 wherein: the arm fiifi 5233 y 3811328515 315; lg gr i lffaifihoib'i arm to a midportion of the beam, and second means pivotally mounting the upper arm and lower arm to the section.

19. The implement of claim 17 including: a second beam located adjacent the opposite end of the section, second arm means pivotally mounting the second beam to the section, and second holding means releasably connecting an end of the second beam to the section, third tool bar means, linkage means connecting the third tool bar means to said second beam, a plurality of spaced earth working tools mounted on the third tool bar means for working the soil adjacent rows of crops, and row guide assembly means mounted on the third tool bar means for controlling the transverse position of the third tool bar means to locate the earth working tools adjacent the rows of crops, said row guide assembly means having a forward wheel means adapted to follow a longitudinal furrow located between adjacent rows of crops, a rear furrowing tool means longitudinally aligned with the wheel means, and shield means having a pair or rearwardly converging generally upright members located between adjacent rows of crops, one of said members located adjacent one side of said furrowing tool means and the other of said members located adjacent the-other side of said furrowing tool means, said furrowing tool means and upright members of the shield means forming on movement of the implement a furrow in the soil longitudinally aligned with the wheel means.

20. The implement of claim 17 including: pivot means connecting the arm means to a midportion of the beam, whereby the outer end of the beam can be moved adjacent the end of the section and connected thereto with the holding means.

21. The implement of claim 1 wherein: said shield means include means to adjustably support the upright members whereby the converging relationship between the upright members can be changed.

22. The implement of claim 1 wherein: said shield means has top members and means to adjustably mount the upright members on the top members whereby the converging relationship between the upright members can be changed.

23. The implement of claim 22 wherein: the furrowing tool means includes a generally upright standard, said top members being mounted on said standard. 

1. In an earth working implement having a frame means connectable to a tractor, tool bar means, linkage means connecting the tool bar means with the frame means, a plurality of spaced earth working tools mounted on the tool bar means for working the soil adjacent rows of crops, the improvement of: means mounted on the tool bar means for making a lOngitudinal furrow in the soil between adjacent rows of crops, said means mounted on the tool bar means comprising furrowing tool means, and shield means having a pair of rearwardly converging generally upright members located between adjacent rows of crops, one of said members located adjacent one side of said furrowing tool means and the other of said members located adjacent the other side of said furrowing tool means, said furrowing tool means and upright members of the shield means forming on movement of the implement a longitudinal furrow in the soil between adjacent rows of crops.
 2. The implement of claim 1 wherein: said means mounted on the tool bar means includes a longitudinal member mounted on the tool bar means, said furrowing tool means having a generally upright standard mounted on the rear portion of the longitudinal member.
 3. The implement of claim 2 wherein: said shield means is mounted on the standard to confine the worked soil to the space between the adjacent rows of crops.
 4. The implement of claim 1 wherein: said shield means includes means to adjustably support the upright members whereby the converging relationship between the upright members can be changed.
 5. The implement of claim 1 wherein: said shield means has top members and means to adjustably mount the upright members on the top members whereby the converging relationship between the upright members can be changed.
 6. The implement of claim 4 wherein: the furrowing tool means includes a generally upright standard, said top members being mounted on said standard.
 7. In an earth working implement having a frame means connectable to a tractor, tool bar means, linkage means connecting the tool bar means with the frame means, a plurality of spaced earth working tool means mounted on the tool bar means for working the soil adjacent rows of crops, the improvement of: row guide assembly means mounted on the tool bar means for controlling the transverse position of the tool bar means to maintain the positions of the earth working tools adjacent the rows of crops; said row guide assembly means comprising forward wheel means adapted to follow a longitudinal furrow located between adjacent rows of crops, a furrowing tool means longitudinally aligned behind the wheel means, and shield means having a pair of rearwardly converging members located between adjacent rows of crops; one of said members of the shield means located adjacent one side of said furrowing tool means and the other of said members located adjacent the other side of said furrowing tool means: said furrowing tool means and converging members of the shield means forming on movement of the implement a furrow in the soil longitudinally aligned with the wheel means.
 8. The implement of claim 7 wherein: said row guide assembly includes a longitudinal member mounted on the tool bar means, means mounting the wheel means on the forward portion of the member, said furrowing tool means having a generally upright standard mounted on the rear portion of the longitudinal member.
 9. The implement of claim 7 wherein: said shield means include means to adjustably support the upright members whereby the converging relationship between the upright members can be changed.
 10. The implement of claim 7 wherein: said shield means has top members and means to adjustably mount the upright members on the top members whereby the converging relationship between the upright members can be changed.
 11. The implement of claim 10 wherein: the furrowing tool means includes a generally upright standard, said top members being mounted on said standard.
 12. An earth working implement mountable on a tractor comprising: main frame means connectable to a tractor, tool bar means, linkage means connecting the tool bar means with the main frame means, a plurality of spaced earth working tools mounted on the tool bar means for working the soil adjacent rows of crops, and row guide assembly means mounted on the tool bar means for controlling the transverSe position of the tool bar means to locate the earth working tools adjacent the rows of crops, said row guide assembly means having a forward wheel means adapted to follow a longitudinal furrow located between adjacent rows of crops, a rear furrowing tool means longitudinally aligned with the wheel means, and shield means having a pair of rearwardly converging generally upright members located between adjacent rows of crops, one of said members located adjacent one side of said furrowing tool means and the other of said members located adjacent the other side of said furrowing tool means, said furrowing tool means and upright members of the shield means forming on movement of the implement a furrow in the soil longitudinally aligned with the wheel means.
 13. The implement of claim 1 wherein: said row guide assembly means includes a longitudinal member mounted on the tool bar means, means mounting the wheel means on the forward portion of the member, said furrowing tool means having an upright standard mounted on the rear portion of the member, and a shovel mounted on the lower portion of the standard.
 14. The implement of claim 13 wherein: said shield means is mounted on the standard to confine the worked soil to the space between adjacent rows of crops.
 15. The implement of claim 13 including: adjustable means connecting the standard to the longitudinal member, said adjustable means comprising a block means having an upright convex face and an upright flat edge opposite the face, means on the longitudinal member engageable with the convex face, said standard engageable with the flat edge of the block means, sand holding means engageable with the standard to hold the standard in engagement with the block means and to hold the block means in engagement with the means on the longitudinal member.
 16. The implement of claim 15 wherein: the means on the longitudinal member comprise vertically spaced cylindrical members and the holding means comprise vertically spaced bolts engaging vertically spaced portions of the standard.
 17. The implement of claim 1 wherein: the main frame means has a section mountable on the tractor, a beam adjacent an end of the section, arm means pivotally mounting the beam to the section and holding means releasably connecting an end of the beam to the center section, second tool bar means, linkage means connecting the second tool bar means to said beam, a plurality of spaced earth working tools mounted on the second tool bar means for working the soil adjacent rows of crops, and row guide assembly means mounted on the second tool bar means for controlling the transverse position of the second tool bar means to locate the earth working tools adjacent the rows of crops, said row guide assembly means having a forward wheel means adapted to follow a longitudinal furrow located between adjacent rows of crops, a rear furrowing tool means longitudinally aligned with the wheel means, and shield means having a pair of rearwardly converging generally upright members located between adjacent rows of crops, one of said members located adjacent one side of said furrowing tool means and the other of said members located adjacent the other side of said furrowing tool means, said furrowing tool means and upright members of the shield means forming on movement of the implement a furrow in the soil longitudinally aligned with the wheel means.
 18. The implement of claim 17 wherein: the arm means comprise an upper arm and a lower arm, first means pivotally connecting the upper arm and lower arm to a midportion of the beam, and second means pivotally mounting the upper arm and lower arm to the section.
 19. The implement of claim 17 including: a second beam located adjacent the opposite end of the section, second arm means pivotally mounting the second beam to the section, and second holding means releasably connecting an end of the second beam to the section, third tool bar means, linkage means connecting the third tool bar means to said second beam, a Plurality of spaced earth working tools mounted on the third tool bar means for working the soil adjacent rows of crops, and row guide assembly means mounted on the third tool bar means for controlling the transverse position of the third tool bar means to locate the earth working tools adjacent the rows of crops, said row guide assembly means having a forward wheel means adapted to follow a longitudinal furrow located between adjacent rows of crops, a rear furrowing tool means longitudinally aligned with the wheel means, and shield means having a pair or rearwardly converging generally upright members located between adjacent rows of crops, one of said members located adjacent one side of said furrowing tool means and the other of said members located adjacent the other side of said furrowing tool means, said furrowing tool means and upright members of the shield means forming on movement of the implement a furrow in the soil longitudinally aligned with the wheel means.
 20. The implement of claim 17 including: pivot means connecting the arm means to a midportion of the beam, whereby the outer end of the beam can be moved adjacent the end of the section and connected thereto with the holding means.
 21. The implement of claim 1 wherein: said shield means include means to adjustably support the upright members whereby the converging relationship between the upright members can be changed.
 22. The implement of claim 1 wherein: said shield means has top members and means to adjustably mount the upright members on the top members whereby the converging relationship between the upright members can be changed.
 23. The implement of claim 22 wherein: the furrowing tool means includes a generally upright standard, said top members being mounted on said standard. 